Trinseo and RWDC Industries Advance PHA Dispersion Technology for Barrier Coatings

Trinseo and RWDC Industries LLC have reinforced their commitment to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) dispersion products by signing a joint development agreement. Through this collaboration, the companies are addressing growing consumer demand for compostable and recyclable packaging solutions by advancing PHA dispersion coatings.

Shelf-stable PHA dispersion technology for use in packaging applications

Leveraging Trinseo’s advanced pilot coater facility, the PHA dispersion technology met runnability targets at pilot scale across various coating application methods. Importantly, the research teams at Trinseo and RWDC modified the PHA dispersion to be compatible with standard paper-drying conditions, greatly enhancing both film formation and coating durability.

“Since collaborating with RWDC in May of 2023, we have made substantial advances in PHA dispersion technology,” said Trinseo’s Alan Piwowar, Technical Service and Development Specialist. “With RWDC, we have successfully demonstrated at a pilot scale the feasibility of producing commercially viable, shelf-stable PHA dispersions, specifically optimised for use in paper and board applications. Our prototypes demonstrate excellent film formation and strong barriers against common food substances such as oil, grease, and moisture. By optimising PHA dispersions for barrier coating applications, we can also help manufacturers develop packaging solutions that offer specific benefits, including compostability, recyclability, and food contact applications.”

“PHA dispersion technology will be vital to delivering compostable and recyclable offerings within the packaging industry,” comments Geoff Nobes, Director of Business Development at RWDC. “Working with Trinseo, we can propel dispersion technology to the market to meet customer requirements for various applications and believe that, together, we can support the packaging industry in its transition to adopt more responsible packaging solutions.”

RWDC Industries’ PHA dispersion products for paper and board are made from materials that are not meant for food and have certifications from TUV Austria that prove they are biobased, can break down in industrial These PHA dispersions can work well with other water-based coatings, allowing for the development of hybrid coatings that offer better performance while also being compostable and recyclable.

Trinseo and RWDC have jointly developed PHA dispersion technology, offering transformative potential for the packaging industry. The technology also shows promise for applications in other sectors, including textiles, construction, and adhesives, which are currently being explored by our global application technology teams.

Source: TRINSEO